Baby, It's Cold Outside…
Daniel Meade couldn't sleep. He had been trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head ever since Renee Slater had come and messed with his head.
He still couldn't stop thinking to himself, what would have happened if...well, if things wouldn't have gone like they did.
Of course, Betty had already diffused the situation with the distraught woman, and as usual, didn't really need his attempt at heroics in breaking down his door. He looked around at the pictures he had grown up with at the mansion he once called home.
He poured himself a second Scotch and picked up a book to try and get all the images out of his head. Images of Betty, looking frazzled, as she held the fire extinguisher in her hands.
Images of...her reassuring him that she certainly didn't have a crush on him. Images of her running out to kiss the man she did love-Henry.
He felt sadness for Renee and her confusion and issues of anger. He knew there was far more of Wilhelmina's involvement in her sister's sudden relapse than she would have anyone believe.
But, if he was completely honest with himself, he was far more troubled by the whole idea that Renee had presented of Betty, being secretly in love with him.
"Daniel? Are you still up? I...thought I heard a glass being poured. I think I'll have one myself."
Daniel arched a warning eyebrow, "Mom?"
She rolled her eyes, "Of cranberry juice and lime, of course. Don't get your boxers in a twist, dear. What has you up so late? It's past two. I thought you had stopped being such a night owl lately."
"I have."
"Are you thinking about Renee?"
"Sort of. Not really, though. More about ...well, Betty, actually. She could have gotten killed trying to help me this time."
Claire nodded, looking down at her glass, "Yes. She could have."
He looked puzzled, "But...why would she take such a risk like that? She went to my place, knowing Renee was probably there and how dangerous she was...why would she do that for me?
God knows I don't pay her nearly enough to deserve that kind of loyalty!"
"Yes, perhaps a raise is in order. But, she is your friend, too. Daniel. She didn't act as an employee. She just wanted to protect you. To warn you. As your…"
"Friend?"
Claire took a drink and smiled, "Mhmm...yes. Of course. Friend. Sure."
He narrowed his eyes, "Why do you say it like that? Like...look, I know Betty's all totally in love with Henry and everything, but...what's going to happen when he leaves?
She's going to be miserable. He's going to break her heart..again. She doesn't deserve that."
Claire put her hand on her son's shoulder, "You say this out of concern as Betty's ...boss?"
"No! I'm her friend, too. I care about what happens to her! Mom, come on. You know Betty means more to me than just being my assistant. She's...she's...what is she?"
"Yes, dear. That is the question, isn't it? What is Betty to you now? Is she your best friend?"
"Of course she is! We talk all the time. She tells me everything. And I can talk to her like I never have been able to with any woman I've ever met. She...well, I'd say she gets under your skin like a sort of annoying little voice in your head sometimes.
She never lets me get away with anything. I have to always do my best or else she gives me one of her stupid little pep talks! And she is like…I don't know, a Jewish mother, sometimes.
Once, she spit on her hand and rubbed my face! Then she...smacked me on the ass and told me to go in and not let Wilhelmina freak me out another time. She...she's…" he looked down at his drink and put his hand up to his head, "God, I'm an idiot, aren't I?"
"As much as it pains me to say it about my son, yes, dear. Sometimes you do have the element of the idiotic. Is this about what I think it is?
Have you finally figured out that your feelings for Betty run a lot deeper than her work skills or even her friendship?"
He nodded, stunned into silence, as he suddenly sat in the chair behind him and slammed the rest of his drink down in one swift gulp.
"Yeah. I do. I think...Renee had it wrong. It's not Betty who has the crush on me. It's the other way around. I love her. Don't I?"
She nodded, sitting next to him and putting her hand on his, "Yes, dear. You do. But I certainly wouldn't dismiss her feelings for you, either. As you pointed out, she did try to save you from Renee the other night. She put herself at considerable risk to make sure you were safe.
Perhaps...once Henry is out of the picture, you could discuss it with her? See what she thinks?"
He reddened, "I can't do that! I can't just swoop in like that, right after he leaves! I don't want to be some...rebound guy for her. I want to be...you know, the guy.
Besides, what's she going to say? It's not...like we've ever, well, really even flirted or anything before seriously.
It's going to be kind of weird, don't you think, just coming up to her and saying, hey, Betty, I know we've only ever been friends before, but I think I might be in love with you!"
"Well, perhaps you should at least think about the...flirting thing for now. That's a step in the right direction at least. The poor girl's a bit clumsy! If you suddenly sweep her off her feet out of nowhere and ravish her with no warning she may get so confused that she falls down or bumps into something and hurts herself!
Now, if you'll excuse me, dear. I'm going to bed. Here, try this one. It's something I know Betty appreciates.
She gave it to me for Christmas last year. She wrote a lovely little note in the front saying how much she enjoys reading it at least once a year.
She and her mother evidently had that tradition. Perhaps it will give you a clue as to how best to reach her heart."
Daniel put back the James Clancy book he had originally selected and looked at the one his mother handed him, "Pride and Prejudice? Austen? Really, Mom? I remember having to read this stuff in college. It's a bit...girly for me, don't you think?"
"You'd be surprised, dear. If nothing else, it should be a cure for your insomnia. At least read a few chapters. See what you think."
He shrugged, "Fine, but she already got me watching all those damn chick flick movies and silly Disney Princess crap with her in exchange for me getting her into action movies! I swear, if I start turning into Alexis, you have no one but yourself to blame!"
She laughed, as she got up to leave, "I think with you, we're safe! Goodnight, Daniel."
He nodded, as she kissed him on the cheek. "Goodnight, Mom. Thanks for letting me stay here until they get my place fixed up again."
"Of course! It's good to have you back again. It gets lonely in this big old house with all my memories. You're welcome anytime, dear. You know that." She turned and left Daniel with his book.
He sighed, opening the first page and reading Betty's thoughtful note to his mother, "To Claire Meade, the most courageous and kind woman I have ever known. I used to read this book with my mother every year.
I give this one to you, in hopes you will find as much joy and hope in it as I always did.
Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and everyone you meet. You are a wonderful mother and I know for a fact how much your son loves you. I'm grateful he has allowed me to share you with him a bit.
Merry Christmas!
-Betty."
He smiled, and sighed, leaning back to read for a bit. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
Daniel stirred, hearing his phone ring, as he rubbed his eyes and picked up the book that had fallen out of his hands and fumbled for his phone.
"Hello?" His voice was rough and scratchy. "This is Daniel."
"Oh...I'm sorry! I woke you. I knew I shouldn't have called so early, never mind, Daniel."
He sat up, still rubbing his eyes, and trying to focus, "Betty? Are you alright? Early? What time is it?"
"It's six o'clock. I'm so sorry I woke you. Just go back to sleep."
"What happened? You sound...like you've been...crying. Is everybody in your family okay?"
"Yes. It's just...well, Henry left."
"He did? That was today, huh? I thought he was staying a little longer."
"He was. But...his uncle called and had a job that he thought Henry would be perfect for at his company. So...he took a late flight last night. I...was up all night."
"Me, too."
"Why were you up? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so insensitive. Are you still upset about Renee?"
"Not really. I don't know why. Just one of those nights, I guess. I couldn't sleep. Maybe being in unfamiliar surroundings. I've been at my mom's all week and I miss my own place. They said I SHOULD be able to go back tonight. Maybe I'll finally get some sleep!
I ended up trying to read that Jane Austen book you gave my mom for Christmas. That old time language did the trick finally at least for a few hours. I barely remember all the Mr. Bingley and Mr. Benett stuff, so I guess I must have dozed off, trying to get through it. Thanks!" he teased.
"Very funny, Daniel. Jane Austen was a great writer! Plenty of men have read her stuff, too, I'll have you know!"
"Were these gay men?"
"Ha ha! Are we grumpy this morning?"
"Nah. Not really. Just sleepy, I guess. Sorry. I was just kidding. It's really good. I suppose. For girly stuff. Say, do you want to go get a cup of coffee?"
"That sounds really good, actually."
"Great. So...I'll meet you at that one place…"
"The one we went to last week, or the usual?"
"Let's try that new one we tried week before last. You know, the one…"
"With the lady that looked like Steven Tyler?" She laughed.
"Yeah! That one. I'll call Jeff to pick you up."
"You don't have to…"
"Shut up. It's done. I'll see you there. Oh, hey, Betty?"
"Yes?"
"You're going to be okay."
She smiled, "Thank you, Daniel. You're such a good friend! I'll see you soon."
He nodded, looking at the phone, and putting it against his chest, after she hung up. "Yeah. A good friend." He sighed, "That's me."